SRM
THE
GENERAL AVIATION SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH
“SINGLE-PILOT
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (SRM)”
Single-pilot resource
management is defined as the managing of all resources available to a pilot, both on-board
the aircraft and from outside sources prior to and during a flight to ensure its
successful conclusion.
It is about gathering
information, analysing it, and taking
decisions based on it.
It requires a pilot
to perform a number of mental tasks in addition to the physical task of basic
aircraft control, including:
·
Situational awareness
·
Task management
·
Automation management
·
Risk management
·
Aeronautical decision-making
·
CFIT (controlled-flight-into-terrain)
awareness
This can be
a
challenge for GA pilots, whose flying
experience may be limited, and the incorporation of
SRM into GA pilot training is an important step forward in aviation safety.
When a flight is
operated by a single pilot, that pilot has various inside and outside resources
available to assist with the flight. The key is how to identify and effectively
use these resources, which include:
· Passengers, even those with no flying
experience. Use them to read out checklist items or watch for traffic. With a bit
of instruction, they can also help listen for radio calls or assist with
switching radio frequencies
· If the aircraft is so equipped, one
could teach frequent passengers some basic programming skills for the moving
map and multifunction displays
· Reading the checklist out loud, and touching
the appropriate switch or control. Talk to yourself – as a solo flyer nobody’s
listening!
·
On-board equipment, both panel-mounted and
hand-held, is an important internal resource. Today’s technology offers an
incredible range of information to assist with overall situational awareness,
navigation, weather information, and much more. The key to benefiting from this
resource is to know your devices: long before you leave the ground, know what
information is available and make sure you know how to access it without unduly
diverting your attention from essential aircraft control duties.